Top-securing means for baskets



Jupe 17,1930, R. A. DENN-ISOIN 1,755,301

TOP SECURING MEANS FOR BASKETS Filed Dec. 5, 1927 Hfier .11. Dennifian IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented June '17, 1930 UNITED STATES 3.03am: A. DENNISON, or DALLAS, TEXAS Y I'OP SECURING MEANS FOR BASKETS Application filed December}, 1927. Serial No. 287,693. Y

This invention relates to fruit and produce baskets, and more especially to an improved means for securing the top upon the basket, and the principal object resides in the provi- 5 s'ion of an improved fastening means combining the handle of the basket, in which the handle is so constructed as to be capable of confining the strip overreaching the sides of the top, usually present in the conventional basket construction, while portions thereof are arranged to be bent about or over the hoop to which the slats of the top are secured, consequently firmly-binding the top .to the basket proper, and positively preventing spreading of the sides of the basket when under strain of a load. I

' Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a combined handle and top fastening means of the character above speclfied of an extremely-simple and economical construction, and designed to meet all the requirements in the use of this type of basket.

With the foregoing objects as paramount, the invention has particularreference to its salient features of construction and relationship to' the basket and top whereby'is-obtained the secure locking of these parts, and which will be more fully disclosed as the description proceeds. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional produce basket upon which the improved handle locking means is applied.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view in crosssection, also showing the invention operatively applied;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary exterior view of the basket and top showing the invention applied, the dotted lines indicating the position of the invention previous to clamping, and

Figure 4 .is a fragmentary interior view "of applied.-

In continuing in more detail, it may be stated that baskets 1 to which the present invention especially appertains, are generally constructed-of thin strips of tough, bendable wood, and the top 2, beingsimilarly constructed, has a main strip 3 which extends diametrically across the top and overreaches when the basket is overlyloadedwhich is frethe basket, showing the invention operativelythe sides of the basket. The strips or which the top is composed are aflixed to a hoop 4, which, due to the strain the latter is required to withstand, is composed of very strong and durable material. The protruding ends of the main strip 3 are adapted to enter under the bight portion of the handle, which in ordinary baskets, forms the only securing means for the top, and is not at all efiective quently done..

The improvement therefore in the present invention lies in the provision of a handle 5, of strong but bendable wire, substantially U sha ed, the legs 6 of which enter the top hoop of the basket 1 and are bent upward. The legs are of such length as to extend to a point equal with or above the bight portion of the handle, as particularly shown by dotted lines in Figure 3. By thus lengthening the legs '6, it is possible, when the top of the basket is in place, to bend the protruding ends of the'legs over the edge of the top hoop 4, which'firmly binds the top to the basket.

In cases where the basket is overloaded, the

flexibility of the sides causes the basket to yield to the pressure of the contents, and as a consequence, the top will not fit. To overcome this condition, the protruding ends of the top strip 3 are inserted into the handles in the usual way, and as shown in Figure 1. Pressure upon the sides of the basket at points adj cent the handles 5 will bring the top hoop of the basket into line with the hoop 4 of the basket top, whereupon the legs 6 of the handle are bent firmly over the hoop 4 of the top, securely binding the top in place.

It is possible that the holes in the hoop 7 of the basket through which the legs 6' of the handle pass, be of such size as to permit the legs to be pulled through, to bring thebight portion of the handle down snugly against the protruding ends of the strip 3, before bending the ends of the legs 6 in place over the hoop 4 of the top, as in Figure 4. While this is .not necessary to obtain maximum effect, it strengthens to some degree the binding action already obtained as aforesaid, and enables the protruding ends of theslat 3 to r00 be used as handles Without fear of breaking the latter.

in many types of fastening means designed to hold the top intact upon the basket,

the slat 3 is used as a mounting, and co-operates with the handle of the basket. In this form of securing means, the top hoop 4, being subjected to the strain without re-inforce ment often becomes released from the slats and weakens the binding effect of the fastening means. Moreover, the slat 3, belng of very thin material is easily split, which lends to the insecurity to such a fastening means where the latter is entirely dependent upon the slat for its mounting. The present invenfronting edges'of said hoops while their free ends are bent over and tightly against the top edge of hoop 4 and extend downwardly in divergent relation in engagement with the outer face of hoop 4. This structure not only strengthens and braces the hoo s, but'also distributes the strain on lifting o the basket, such lifting strain tending to cause the legs to approach each other and thereby increase the holdin action thereof.

It may be readily seen that the original form of the fastening arrangement embody-- ing the invention is that illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 3, when the top is placed upon the basket. The most eifectivetools by which the legs 6 of the handlemay be operatively bent over the hoop 4 to bind the top in place have been found to consist of liers or similar tools, since they are required to be secured simultaneously with an inward pressure upon the side of the basket to aline. the hoops 4 and 7, against the resistance of the contents of the basket.

Obviously, the foregoing description has been limited to details, but it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be so limited, and that certain modifications may be resorted to from time to time as considered in keeping with the appended claim, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

A holder and handle for baskets having top hoops, covers provided with hoops and also with strips which latter extend beyond the cover edges, composed of a substantially inverted U-shaped member formed to receive the strip ends between its legs and to have its horizontal part seat on and against the upper face of the strip, the legs of the member engaging against the periphery of the cover hoop and against the periphery of the top hoop of the basket and being extended through the said top hoop, the legs having portions extending upwardly at an angle'to said legs and in divergent relation across the said confronting edges of the hoops and tightly against the inner face of each hoop and havin their free ends bent over and tightly agalnst the top edge of the cover'hoop so as to hold the two hoops in tight engagement with each other and extending downwardly in divergent relation inengagement with the outer face of the cover hoop.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ROBERT A. DENNISON. 

